Personalize Some Cross Stitch Gift Tags

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. That means that the price for you stays the same but I make a few pennies to keep the lights on and feed the cat.

I’m not big on wrapping things. I mean, I love to do it, but I get really overwhelmed with the idea that it has to be perfect and then I get sad that it’s going the be just ripped open later. It’s kind of like temporary art. BUT!!! I like to add little flares of personalized things that can also be used later. These cross stitch gift tags are really great because they can also be used as bookmarks, quick tree ornaments, or re-used for another gift or in a scrap book.

One of my favorite things to do as a kid around Christmas time was to sit on the couch in front of A Christmas Story and cross stitch. I always did smaller projects because I obviously do not have the attention span to do those huge projects with a million different colors and very intricate patterns. I get lost and lose string and well, it’s overwhelming to even think of to be honest. So yes, simple projects. Even if you’ve never cross stitched before, you can make these in a snap and impress all of your friends!

Print out your template and cut out your desired designs. Use the washi tape to secure your cut out to the gift card.

Place the card on a folded piece of felt. Using the push pin, poke holes into the corners of each square. This is where you will stitch your X’s into the cards.

Once you’ve got your holes punched, it’s time to stitch! Grab your embroidery floss and cut an 18 inch-ish piece. Each length of embroidery floss is made up of 6 strands. We want 3 for this project, so very carefully split the string apart. All that twizzlers pull and peel practice is finally coming in handy!

Thread your embroidery needle. I find it’s easier to wet the ends I’m inserting and smooshing them flat between my fingers. Make a knot at the end by looping the end of the thread around your index finger twice then pinch/roll it off of your finger with your thumb and tighten.

Insert your needle from the back of the card into your starting point. Usually the top most left hand corner. Start sewing your X’s. There are two ways you can do this, just start doing the X’s and continue down the pattern or creat a line of slants and cross the other way up (see diagram below).

It was during this processs I learned that cross stitching is very hard to photograph one handed and that Grampa the cat likes cross stitch for all the wrong reasons. Mainly she likes to eat string or get in my way.

Okay, once you’ve got every thing stitched, just thread your needle through the BACK of the stitches. You can loop a knot in, but it’s not a huge deal. Trim off the excess string and you have a beautiful set of cross stitch gift tags. Use a hole punch to add a hole to tie string through and enjoy!!!

These are really cute. I love you poked the holes with a pin first too. I am pretty sure I would of poked them with a needle and ruined them. Lol. Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Pinned & Sharing on FB! Have a great week! Kim